Residents living near the Youngstown wastewater treatment plant on Poland Avenue raised concern this afternoon after reporting a stronger than usual smell coming from the plant to our newsroom. 

21 News reached out to Chuck Shasho, Youngstown’s Director of Public Works, for comment on the issue.  

Shasho explained that the plant is currently under renovation and therefore had to shut down some of the wastewater treatment biological processes in parts of the facility.  

This causes microorganisms in the water being treated to die and produce a stronger than normal odor.  

Shasho said the system would be back online tomorrow and the smell should dissipate within a few days.